Chapter 3
Experimental Techniques
3.1 Materials, Experimental Design, Methodology
and Methods
In this chapter, the materials used, experimental design, methodology and methods
employed are described. A critical component of the motorcycle helmet ventilation
and cooling development process is by the verification of the material design in a
wind tunnel. The wind tunnel techniques used to test the effectiveness of helmet
ventilation in cooling are discussed. The paraffinic PCM and PWAT materials used
for cooling the helmets have also been illustrated. The use of heated head forms to
objectively quantify the difference between different types of materials for cooling
is explained. The head form is made of cast aluminium. This is the main method
currently used by helmet manufacturers to test the ventilation of helmets [1]. This
technique provides a tool for objective and quantitative comparison of the helmets,
while wearer trials by using human beings are subjective and qualitative.
3.2 Materials
3.2.1 Fabrics
Various fabric laminates and foams coated with paraffinic PCM were collected from
Outlast Technologies (USA) and PWAT materials from AquaTex Industries (USA).
The PCM used in the study fall under the paraffin classification, with the carbon chain
containing 18–20 carbon atoms (i.e. octadecane to eikosane). The melting point of
PCM ranges from 28 to 33 °C and the crystallisation point ranges from 22 to 30 °C.
The specifications of the fabrics used are given in Table 3.1.
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. Kanesalingam and R. Nayak, Sustainable Phase Change and Polymeric Water
Absorbent Materials, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5750-7_3
63
Experimental Techniques
3.1 Materials, Experimental Design, Methodology
and Methods
In this chapter, the materials used, experimental design, methodology and methods
employed are described. A critical component of the motorcycle helmet ventilation
and cooling development process is by the verification of the material design in a
wind tunnel. The wind tunnel techniques used to test the effectiveness of helmet
ventilation in cooling are discussed. The paraffinic PCM and PWAT materials used
for cooling the helmets have also been illustrated. The use of heated head forms to
objectively quantify the difference between different types of materials for cooling
is explained. The head form is made of cast aluminium. This is the main method
currently used by helmet manufacturers to test the ventilation of helmets [1]. This
technique provides a tool for objective and quantitative comparison of the helmets,
while wearer trials by using human beings are subjective and qualitative.
3.2 Materials
3.2.1 Fabrics
Various fabric laminates and foams coated with paraffinic PCM were collected from
Outlast Technologies (USA) and PWAT materials from AquaTex Industries (USA).
The PCM used in the study fall under the paraffin classification, with the carbon chain
containing 18–20 carbon atoms (i.e. octadecane to eikosane). The melting point of
PCM ranges from 28 to 33 °C and the crystallisation point ranges from 22 to 30 °C.
The specifications of the fabrics used are given in Table 3.1.
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. Kanesalingam and R. Nayak, Sustainable Phase Change and Polymeric Water
Absorbent Materials, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5750-7_3
63